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Should GM Offer Police Versions Of The New Chevrolet Blazer Or Traverse: Poll

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As of this writing, Chevrolet does not offer a police version of the Traverse, nor is there word of any law enforcement packages for the all-new Chevrolet Blazer. In fact, GM/Chevrolet have yet to offer a crossover SUV to the police. Right now, the only GM utility offered to law enforcement customers is the Tahoe PPV – a full-size, body-on-frame SUV that’s larger, heavier, and less agile than a crossover.

And that makes us wonder if Chevrolet should fill this gap by offering a model like the Blazer or Traverse to law enforcement agencies, much like the Ford Explorer (called Police Interceptor Utility for the police) and Dodge Durango.

2019 Chevrolet Blazer

The Numbers

Among full-size crossovers from American automakers, the Ford Explorer is far and away the sales leader: sales of the Explorer and its police-specific variant totaled a cumulative 196,870 units in the first nine months of 2018. That’s almost twice as many as the Traverse and four times as many as the Durango.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size American Crossovers - Jan - Sep 2018 - USA

MODEL

SEP 18 / SEP 17

SEPTEMBER 18

SEPTEMBER 17

YTD 18 / YTD 17

YTD 18

YTD 17

EXPLORER

-0.68%

18,769

18,898

-1.62%

171,416

174,247

TRAVERSE

-8.15%

10,969

11,943

+20.41%

106,998

88,864

POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY

+11.65%

2,578

2,309

+2.69%

25,454

24,787

DURANGO

+6.06%

6,583

6,207

-5.96%

49,541

52,681

Specifically, Ford’s Police Interceptor Utility saw 25,454 deliveries – which is roughly the units that Chevrolet is currently missing out on by not offering a police version of a crossover.

The GM Authority Take

While we understand that General Motors is aiming to boost profits by increasing ATPs (Average Transaction Prices) instead of focusing on the total quantity of units sold, offering police versions of the Blazer or Traverse is at least worthy of consideration. Even if only 1,500 units of a police-level crossover were to sell each month, that’s still about 10,000-20,000 units sales a year.

As such, GM could be at a competitive disadvantage by not offering a crossover for police duty. The unibody structure, high roof, increased fuel economy, and tight handling provided by a crossover are qualities not afforded by the body-on-frame Tahoe PPV.

So, should Chevrolet invest in offering a Blazer, Traverse or both for police duty? Tell us what you think by participating in the poll and commenting below.

Full sized RWD sedan. Get rid of CAFE so they can start building CARS again and stop with the poor handling top heavy CUVs. CUVs only exist to dodge fuel economy requirements imposed on “cars”. It’s stupid that it was meant to decrease fuel consumption and only served to increase it.

Full sized RWD sedan. Get rid of CAFE so they can start building bigger CARS again and stop with the poor handling top heavy CUVs. CUVs only exist to dodge fuel economy requirements imposed on “cars”. It’s stupid that it was meant to decrease fuel consumption and only served to increase it.

It’s a tricky branding issue. If cops were driving Chevy’s — you’d be like shouldn’t they have a better GM product? If they’re driving Cadillacs we then ask if that’s really necessary? And would posh people want to associate with cop cars?

Strictly from a branding point of view I’d say any cop car HAS to be a GMC. It just ‘feels’ right. Next I’d consider creating a GMC vehicle ONLY for the police, based upon their needs.

Years ago, the only police vehicles were Chevy and Dodge. Why Chevrolet dropped out is strange. I drove the Chevy and Dodge patrol cars for years. Great performance in both. Should they get back in the game? Definitely YES. Owning a Camaro and new Equinox I can say They have come a long way in performance and technology.

I had commented earlier thinking only the Traverse needed a cop variant, but after thinking about it more, the Blazer would make a great patrol vehicle with the Traverse as a K9 car, or a patrol vehicle.
I’m a GM retiree after 34+ years and have never understood why we got mostly out of the public safety vehicle business (not counting the Holden PPV) when the hardware is already there??? It’s great publicity if you ask me. Yeah, I know the Tahoe is there and that’s great, but the volume is low on those.
I remember when we owned a 1993 Celebrity that had all the 9C1 upgrades that were available to the general public at the time. That car rode and drove GREAT. Handled like a dream, and just felt tough. Extra coolers and cooling fans, bigger brakes, bigger radiator, tires and wheels. Loved that car, and drove it for 150k+ miles.
Does anyone know if the 3.6 as it is, is a robust enough design to take the punishment of being a cop powerplant?

Ford exploer police interceptors had exhaust recall. For leaking exhaust fumes into cab. Not acceptable at all, this wouldnt be an issue of consern for Chevy. Due to superior quality in vehicles. Chevrolet put the model T into extinction. Forcing ford to shut down for 8 months. Then to compete again came the model A. Chevy has always been best. Not the cheapest, the BEST.

Why not a Cadillac CT5/CTS interceptor for highway patrol?. With that also add the Impala for a cheap PPV, an Blazer for inclimate cites (Minneapolis) , continue Tahoe with optional 6.6 power . A luxury car for PPV duty?, works for BMW and Benz all the time.

I’m a recently retired LEO. I think the Blazer will be too small. The Traverse would make a good edition to the Tahoe PPV. In my state the Tahoe is not common because it’s about $3k more expensive than the Explorer Interceptor. Completion would be good for Ford. I hear Ford is significantly increasing their prices.

Yes Chevy should offer a Blazer or Traverse as a PPV. I would much rather see Chevy make another powerful PPV like the box style Caprice/Impala from the 80’s. Build them in the United States not over seas like they did the last PPV